CHAPTER V. 



ODDS AND ENDS. 

 In the preceding chapter 1 mentioned the ex- 

 ceeding boldness, or rather recklessness, of 

 mangy foxes, and that healthy foxes will, on 

 occasions, be just as daring; as an instance 

 of which I may perhaps be permitted to recount 

 the following. 



In the autumn of 1885 I happened to be 

 quartered with my regiment on the top of Mount 

 Troodos, Cyprus, and, having obtained a few 

 days leave of absence, went on a moufflon 

 hunting expedition with two or three brother 

 officers to the Cedar Forest of Stavro, some 

 forty miles distant. As there were no roads, 

 only goat tracks, we rode on mules the two days' 

 journey, and pitched our little camp in a deep 

 glen in the forest, surrounded on all sides by 

 high pine-clad mountains rising from our feet. 

 An icy stream dashed down alongside the small 



